Yuva Sena, MNS activists arrested

About 17 activists from the Yuva Sena, Shiv Sena’s youth wing headed by Aditya Thackeray, and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) were arrested on Friday for creating ruckus at Chinai College at Andheri. They were released on bail later in the evening.

Angry students and activists from the Yuva Sena and the MNS gathered outside the college premises at around 7.30am. They forcefully entered college premises and started throwing around papers and furniture.

“We had informed the vice-chancellor that the emotions of students, who were not being allowed to sit for the exams, is running high. This was bound to happen,” said Yuva Sena leader Bala Kadam, who was arrested and later released on bail.

DCP Prakash Mutyal said things were under control.

The issue gained momentum early this year after the college suspended 370 students for poor attendance, barring 156 of them from appearing in the exams.

There were allegations that the Laxmi Education Trust, which runs the Chinai College, is in the process of developing the area commercially and shutting down the college, which infuriated these students further.

The state government then appointed a three-member inquiry committee to probe into the issue and recommended the appointment of an administrator to see the daily functioning of the college.

The higher and technical education minister Rajesh Tope said: “The committee will give submit its report. I have spoken to the vice-chancellor of the Mumbai University, Rajan Velukar, have asked him to look into the grievances of these students.”